Manipur is facing its worst ever fuel crisis caused by the continuous blockade of the state's national highways. The present stock of fuel would not last more than three days. Besides, there is an acute scarcity of food, medicine and other vital supplies.
The state government has sought urgent Central intervention to end the crisis. "Central intervention is urgent. National highways are national property and New Delhi has a vital role to play," N Biren Singh, spokesman, Manipur government, told HT in Delhi. Singh said all petrol pumps in the state have gone dry except one.
According to officials of the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), on Monday, the state had a stock of 214 kilolitres of petrol, 583 kilolitres of diesel and 151 kilolitres of cooking gas. The daily requirement is 70 kilolitres of petrol, 200 kilolitres of diesel and 80 kilolitres of cooking gas respectively. There is just 1,128 kilolitres of kerosene, while the daily requirement is 80 kilolitres.
Blockade of the two highways, NH 39 and NH 53, which connects the state with the rest of the country, are common, with locals using the tactic to press for their demands.
The ongoing blockade was initiated on August 21 by the United Naga Council (UNC), which is opposed to the call to carve out a Sadar Hills district from the Naga-majority Senapati district. The demand for the new district has been raised by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC).
{{/usCountry}}The ongoing blockade was initiated on August 21 by the United Naga Council (UNC), which is opposed to the call to carve out a Sadar Hills district from the Naga-majority Senapati district. The demand for the new district has been raised by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC).
{{/usCountry}}On October 31, the SHDDC had called off its 92-day blockade.